698: De-Christianizing America & Re-Christianizing Advent with Rich Villodas
The government of Israel has been criticized for building fences in Gaza and the West Bank, but now it's geofencing American churches. Will its plan reverse the decline of evangelical support for the Jewish state? Donald Trump says he's making the country more Christian, but data shows his immigration policy favors secular immigrants and rejects Christians. Rich Villodas is back to talk about his new book for Advent, "Waiting for Jesus." He says we should use this season to resist consumerism, commercialism, and Christian culturalism. Also this week, a giant flightless parrot has issues Down Under. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/144923335/ Advice-ish: https://www.patreon.com/posts/advice-ish-im-in-144823944 66 Verses to Explain the Bible: https://www.patreon.com/posts/144916622/ 0:00 - Show Starts 4:43- Theme Song 5:06 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month! 6:05 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Get the AG1 welcome pack when you order from https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST 7:35 - Toucan Butt Disease! 14:35 - Israel Geofencing Ads Around Churches 29:00 - Deportations Making America More Secular? 48:42 - Sponsor - World Relief - Start a monthly partnership with World Relief to help families in crisis at https://www.worldrelief.org/holypost 49:51 - Sponsor - Aura Frames - Need a Great Christmas Gift? Use code HOLYPOST at checkout to save $45-off the Carver Mat Aura Frame at https://www.AuraFrames.com 51:00 - Sponsor - Blueland - Just for this holiday season, Blueland has a special 30% off deal to help you keep your home clean this Christmas! Go to https://www.blueland.com/holypost 52:10 - Interview 54:06 - Church Calendar Explained 1:03:50 - Spirit of Herod 1:17:37 - End Credits 1:18:09 - Sponsor - The Pour Over - Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Check it out at https://links.thepourover.org/holy-post Links Mentioned in News Segment: Kakapo Crusty Butt Disease! https://www.popsci.com/environment/kakapo-antibiotics-crusty-bum/ Immigration Crackdown Making Us Less Christian? https://religionnews.com/2025/11/18/why-trumps-immigration-crackdown-may-make-america-less-christian/?utm_source=RNS+Updates&utm_campaign=506d68c8ac-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_11_19_01_03&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c5356cb657-506d68c8ac-387424458 Other Resources: Waiting for Jesus: An Advent Invitation to Prayer and Renewal: An Advent Christmas Devotional by Rich Villodas: https://amzn.to/3Me8e8v Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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What Does the Magi Story Really Tell Us About Jesus? (From this week's Curiously Kaitlyn)
We're popping a Curiously Kaitlyn episode into your feed this week because we're starting a brand-new Advent series, and—let's be honest—the nativity story gets weird. Kids notice all the odd details we learned to ignore, and suddenly you're fielding questions you did not prepare for in Sunday School.So instead of scrambling for answers all by yourself, you can join us all month as we explore the questions your kids (and most adults!) are genuinely curious about. First up: Who exactly are the wise men, and why do they show up in the nativity scene at all? If you enjoy the conversation, make sure you're subscribed to Curiously Kaitlyn wherever you get your podcasts. We've got a whole month of Christmas episodes coming your way. 0:00 - Theme Song 2:05 - What's Up With the Star? 9:00 - How Many Wise Men? 12:50 - Sponsor - Blueland - For 15% off first order of Blueland cleaning products, go to this link: https://www.blueland.com/CURIOUSLY 14:03 - Sponsor - Aura Frames - Need a holiday gift to share memories? Get 35% off the Aura Carver Mat Frame with promo code KAITLYN at https://www.auraframes.com 15:04 - Sponsor - Hiya Health - Go to https://www.hiyahealth.com/CURIOUSLY to receive 50% off your first order 17:00 - Why's this in the Bible? 27:00 - Balaam and the Magi 37:37 - End Credits
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697: Cancelling "Judeo-Christian," Defending Slavery, & Rethinking Gaza with J. Ross Wagner
The term "Judeo-Christian" has been used by the Religious Right for decades as a positive shorthand for biblical values in the culture, so why are conservative Christians now rejecting the label? And why are Christian defenses of slavery and the Confederacy gaining popularity 160 years after the Civil War? Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn explain how the rising influence of Christian nationalism drives both trends. J. Ross Wagner, editor of the new book, "Being Christian After the Desolation of Gaza," talks to Skye about how both American and Palestinian Christians are reexamining evangelical support for Israel. Also this week, a woman has been hiding in the New Testament for nearly 2,000 years, and there's a new horror movie about a teenage Jesus. What could go wrong? Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/144401051/ Advice-ish: https://www.patreon.com/posts/advice-ish-i-go-144317341 0:00 - Show Starts 3:29 - Theme Song 3:50 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - Brooklyn Bedding is offering up to 25% off sitewide for our listeners! Go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com/HOLYPOST 4:53 - Sponsor - PolicyGenius - Secure your family's tomorrow so you have peace of mind today. Go to https://www.policygenius.com/HOLYPOST to find the right life insurance for you 6:02 - Sponsor - Blueland - Get up to 15% off your first order by going to https://www.Blueland.com/HOLYPOST 7:10 - Jesus Horror Movie? 13:44 - Hidden Woman in the Bible? 20:20 - Judeo-Christian No More? 31:50 - Slavery Debate Continues 52:19 - Sponsor - Sundays Dog Food - Get 50% off your first order of Sundays. Go to https://www.SundaysForDogs.com/HOLYPOST or use code HOLYPOST50 at checkout. 53:23 - Sponsor - World Relief - Help families overseas and refugees in crisis! Right now, a $200,000 challenge gift multiplies every gift by three! This ends December 2nd, so act now at https://www.worldrelief.org/holypost 54:25 - Sponsor - Tyndale - The Life Application Study Bible is here to give you resources to help you understand why scripture matters and how it applies today! Check it out now at: https://www.tyndale.com/sites/lasb/?utm_campaign=Bibles%20-%20NLT%20Life%20Applicati[…]ource=Holy%20Post%20Podcast&utm_medium=Microsite%20Nov%202025 55:25 - Interview 58:20 - Why Was This Written? 1:03:50 - Pro-Israel and Antisemitism 1:13:31 - Christian Palestinian Response 1:22:00 - End Credits Links Mentioned in News Segment: Christianity Today Article on Jesus Horror Movie: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/the-carpenters-son-nicolas-cage/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Christians%20from%2045%20Countries%20Petition%20China%20to%20Release%20Pastor%20%7C%20Hindu%20Nationalists%20Attack%20Missionary%20Bus%3A%20CT%20Daily&utm_campaign=CT%20Daily%20Briefing%20-%2011-14-2025&vgo_ee=A9uyoW2d0AIM3QLf0XsIr2KqZu31%2FZWwqyRndI7tytjVfTLPKU7FMTrl8ZnNdw%3D%3D%3AGQRnuGbB%2B00KGOB7ZwEM%2FCWGl7W8Ep9S Woman Hidden in the Bible: https://greekreporter.com/2025/11/21/lost-greek-woman-bible/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=GreekReporter/magazine/Greek+Reporter The Right Rejecting the Judeo-Christian term: https://religionnews.com/2025/11/18/on-the-right-judeo-christian-values-are-out-and-christian-nationalism-is-in/?utm_source=RNS+Updates&utm_campaign=506d68c8ac-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_11_19_01_03&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c5356cb657-506d68c8ac-387424458 Other Resources: Being a Christian After the Desolation of Gaza by Bruce Fisk and J. Ross Wagner: https://amzn.to/482NkBU Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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696: Transcending Our Political Divisions & Labels with Andy Beshear
Mike Erre joins Phil and Skye to discuss a New York Times column by David Brooks. He says America's divisions will only heal when we abandon shallow labels and war metaphors, and instead see one another as fellow pilgrims on a journey. America's Catholic bishops issue a stern rebuke of the Trump administration's dehumanizing rhetoric and policies, which makes Phil wonder why evangelical leaders can't do the same. Then, Skye talks to Kentucky's Democratic governor, Andy Beshear, about why he's so popular in a state that Donald Trump won by 30 points, and how his party can begin to narrow the "God gap" with voters. Also this week—an A.I. vacuum cleaner has an existential crisis. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/143884054/ 0:00 - Show Starts 3:32 - Theme Song 3:54 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month! 4:54 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Get the AG1 welcome pack when you order from https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST 6:20 - AI Roomba Has a Breakdown 16:08- David Brooks on Pilgrimage and Pluralism 45:50 - Catholic Bishops Critical on Immigration Law 50:12 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - Brooklyn Bedding is offering up to 25% off sitewide for our listeners! Go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com/HOLYPOST 51:15 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/HOLYPOST 52:21 - Interview 54:48 - What Went Wrong with Democrats? 1:03:42 - Fire with Fire Approach? 1:09:06 - Democrat's Aversion to Religious Language 1:13:30 - Pro-Life Democrats? 1:21:51 - How Will Democrats Change? 1:25:32 - End Credits Links Mentioned in News Segment: Roomba Butter Breakdown: https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/llm-robot-vacuum-existential-crisis David Brooks Article on Pluralism: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/opinion/christian-nationalism.html Catholic Bishops on Trump's Immigration Policies: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/us/bishops-trump-immigration.html Other Resources: Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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695: Analyzing the Blue Wave & Why the Church Still Matters with Carmen Joy Imes
The Democratic Party swept the off-cycle elections last week, but this isn't the first blue wave we've seen in the Trump era. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss what it means and the significance of New York City electing a Muslim, democratic socialist as mayor. Does Mamdani represent the death of New York, and possibly America, as one Baptist leader claims? Old Testament scholar Carmen Imes is back to discuss why she hasn't given up on the church, and we shouldn't either. Her new book is "Becoming God's Family: Why the Church Still Matters." Also this week—how social media is making Christianity dumber and what to do about it. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/143354201/ 66 Verse to Explain the Bible - 1 Chronicles: https://www.patreon.com/posts/143353236/ 0:00 - Show Starts 3:54 - Theme Song 4:15 - Sponsor - Our Place - Go to https://www.fromourplace.com and use code HOLYPOST to get 10% off site wide on beautiful cookware! 5:25 - Sponsor - Policy Genius - Secure your family's tomorrow so you have peace of mind today. Go to https://www.policygenius.com/HOLYPOST to find the right life insurance for you 6:30 - Blue Wave or Just a Wash? 12:12 - Buzz Around Mamdani 24:00 - Critics of Israel Called Anti-Semetic 30:11 - NYC, Immigration, and Voting Rights 52:28 - Sponsor - Sundays Dog Food - Get 50% off your first order of Sundays. Go to https://www.SundaysForDogs.com/HOLYPOST or use code HOLYPOST at checkout. 53:22 - Sponsor - World Relief - Start your monthly partnership today to help care for others in need: https://www.worldrelief.org/holypost 54:47 - Interview 1:05:00 - Why's the Old Testament Relevant? 1:13:00 - Struggles for the Church 1:28:28 - End Credits Links Mentioned in News Segment: Fareed Zakaria Article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/11/08/democrats-elections-populism-economy-culture/ Washington Post Article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/11/08/zohran-mamdani-class-warfare-new-york-mayor/ Anti-Intellectual Christianity on Tiktok: https://juicyecumenism.com/2025/11/07/anti-intellectual-christianitys-rise/ Other Resources: Becoming God's Family: Why Church Still Matters by Carmen Imes: https://a.co/d/inzSS5d Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Join VeggieTales and What's in the Bible? creator Phil Vischer and co-host Skye Jethani (author, speaker, pastor) for a fast-paced and often funny conversation about pop culture, media, theology, and the fun, fun, fun of living a thoughtful Christian life in an increasingly post-Christian culture.
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